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Movies | Written by Andrew Pollard 17/10/2014

Scarlett Johansson Lined Up to Headline GHOST IN THE SHELL

A live-action GHOST IN THE SHELL has been in the works for what seems like an age. Now comes word from Deadline that Scarlett Johansson is currently up for the lead role in the long-muted adaptation. That was a role that previously had THE WOLF OF WALL STREET’s Margot Robbie heavily linked to it, although she’s now out of the frame and being lined up for a role in Warner Brothers' SUICIDE SQUAD. Johansson, of course, is no stranger to strong female roles, having taken the lead in this year’s poorly-received LUCY and regularly kicking ass as the MCU’s Black Widow.

This live-action adaptation of the classic anime and manga series has been in development for a while now, with SNOW WHITE AND THE HUNSTMAN’s Rupert Sanders on board to direct from a script by William Wheeler. Avi Arad and Steven Paul are on board as producers, with Steven Spielberg also involved in the project. The futuristic thrill-ride could be stunning if handled correctly, especially given the latest modern technology that would be available to create such a world. The original 1989 feature from Masmune Shirow, about a bizarre and complex future that see an ops unit tackling technology-related crime, has spawned multiple animated series, films and comic books over the years, gaining a huge cult following.

No release date has been pencilled in for this latest incarnation of GHOST IN THE SHELL at this stage, but expect more on this as it develops.